Walk behind crawler dozer info

[Inconceivable]

Hello
I need to make a walking trail down to my river on a very steep hillside. I should be able to cut into the hill side for a two foot walking path and the trail would be about 1/3 mile long with about 500 ft on the hill side.
When I was on vacation in Idaho I saw a very old rusted walk behind crawler/dozer and looking on line it looks like it was a mighty mite. It was missing engine and parts but it got me thinking that this may be exactly what I need to cut my trail. I do not want to use anything that you would sit on for fear of tipping over if the hill side gave way plus a heavy machine could get into problems.
Anyone have an idea if there are any of these still in a usable condition? Do they even work very well for what I want to do? Any other sugestions for my trail?
Joe
Washington State (Arlington)
 

[BCnT]

if you cant find what youre looking for,theres a machine i've used on occasion called a Dingo...you operate it standing on a platform to the rear...you step off platform and whole rig stops...its a rubber tracked crawler with all kind of attachments...last one i used rented for about 125. a day.
 

[rockyridgefarm]

They're not tracked, but Grillo and BCS offer a very heavy duty dozer blade for the front of their two-wheel walk-behind tractors. With big rubber (or steel wheels) and big weight, you can really push some stuff.

http://earthtoolsbcs.com/
 

[DiyDave]

Gravely also made a snow blade, for the 7.6 convertable tractors. Would probably make a good cut and fill path. Dingo, or boxer rental, would probably be easiest to find, though. Just because you step off, does not make 'em stop, though. if you step off, gravity WILL still take over!
 

[gtractorfan]

Are these what have in mind? I think you'd have a tough time doing what you want to do. Best suggestion I think is the one with the stand up on "Bobcat".

 

[Inconceivable]

Yes this type of tracked tractor with a small blade.

I have found a picture on line on what I saw but it is missing the blade on the front but the same.

I can not seem to get the picture to attach so here is the link.

http://www.tractorshed.com/contents/adpic15698.htm
Untitled URL Link

 

[Inconceivable]

Yes I have watched Craigslist here and they come up fairly often with the snow plow attachment. I was thinking the blade would be to big and the wheels would just spin.

I was thinking a tracked device would be better. I also was going to use a safety line tied to a tree so if some thing happened I would not have to watch it roll down the hill into a big ball of junk. Lol
 

[Inconceivable]

Thanks for the reply.
I checked them out. My main issue is I would like to buy some thing small so I can work at my own pace and the real big reason is if some thing happens like it rolls off the trial I wont be buying an expensive piece of equipmemt. I am sure no one would give me insurance once they saw where I was going to be working!!!!
 

[Inconceivable]

Thanks for the link I will compare them to the Gravely.
 

[DiyDave]

I know you are leaning toward a walk behind, but my struck dozer, which is of about 2000 vintage, will handle some severe angles. Google or youtube search Struck magnatrac 5000, if you want to see one. Trick is to make a trail, with switchbacks, which run across the slope.
 

[Inconceivable]

I would love to have one of those with the backhoe attachment. I have looked at there little dozers for years. It would be the perfect machine for my place but alas it will be a long time before I have that kind of money.
 

[Stand up crawler]

What kid of conditions do you have to work in? Is it heavy bush, packed clay, etc., etc. Unless it's loose topsoil, I don't know if a stand up machine would have enough push for you. You could also look into a mini excavator to make your trail. You actually do stand on the very small ones but I think you could go bigger than that. The advantage an excavator has is that it relies on hyd. muscle rather than pushing power if the ground is hard. A lot of them also have a blade for back filling and cleaning up.
 

[Inconceivable]

I agree an excavator is a good way to go.

I was riding out in eastern washington and ran across this machine the forest service was using to repair a riding trail and bridge. I can not find any place that rents them.

See link to picture of one.

http://www.nwwstrails.com/images/18-inch-exc-web_s~33.jpg
Untitled URL Link

 

[Inconceivable]

If I could fined one of the Struck Mini dozers that was in good shape and around $2000 or so I might go that option.

I could rig up some safety lines and work small sections and reset every 10 ft or so when I am on the hillside. The rest is just salmon berrys and light brush. I will go around the trees.
 

[david - or]

If the river bank is really steep, here are two more options.

Find out if anyone in your area operates a spider hoe. This is basically an excavator with hydraulic legs instead of tracks. They can work amazingly steep hillsides.

Consider hiring a work crew of laborers with shovels and wheel barrows. You could probably finish the steep part in a day with a crew of 4. I know we all enjoy our fancy Tonka toys, but sometimes low tech is the best way.
youtube video of spider hoe